Kayak Love

Illinois · river

Kaskaskia River at Shelbyville

Live conditions for this USGS-monitored stretch of water, updated every 15 minutes.

100of 100

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Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Photograph taken near Kaskaskia River at Shelbyville
Nearby on Wikimedia Commons — USACE Shelbyville Dam and Lake.jpg by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified or unknown, Public domain. Taken within 10km of this location — it may not show the launch itself.

Wind

4 mph

gusting to 8 mph

Air temp

68°F

15% chance of rain

River flow

1,660 cfs

high for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Wednesday · 100

  • Today

    35

  • Sun

    61

  • Mon

    91

  • Tue

    99

  • Wed

    100

    Best

  • Thu

    64

  • Fri

    73

Scored from each day's peak forecast wind, heat, and rain chance — river flow isn't forecastable, so check back before you load the boat.

Wind, next 12 hours

mph
Hourly wind forecast
HourWind (mph)Gusts (mph)
12p48
1p69
2p79
3p710
4p69
5p79
6p410
7p511
8p613
9p1126
10p1434
11p1536

Is this flow normal for August 1?

Today's 1,660 cfs is 135% above the median for this date — which counts as high water here.

The median flow on this date is 706 cfs, across 55 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind4 mph — calm, ideal for any boat±0

We don't have launch notes for this one

This page is built from the USGS gauge at this location, so the flow and weather are real — but we haven't verified where to put in, what the hazards are, or whether this stretch is legal or sensible to paddle. We'd rather say that than invent it. The links below are where to find out.

We also don't have a verified safe-flow range here, so the Paddle Score reflects weather only. Judge the flow number against local knowledge, not against our score.

Do your own homework

We show you live conditions. For local knowledge — where to put in, what the hazards are, whether it's worth the drive — here's where paddlers actually talk about this water. We don't vet these sources; check the dates and judge for yourself.

Nearby water

All paddling spots in Illinois